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Commissioner Selig announced on Wednesday that David Glass, Owner and Chairman of the Kansas City Royals, has been elected Chairman of the Board of MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball, which includes MLB.com.

Glass, who has been instrumental in overseeing and guiding MLBAM as a Board member since its inception in 2000, replaces Bob DuPuy, who resigned as MLB President at the end of last month. In his role as Chairman, Glass will take on greater responsibilities in overseeing the continued growth of MLBAM. He will also continue in his roles as a member of Major League Baseball’s Executive Council and MLB Enterprises. Prior to purchasing the Royals, Glass served for 12 years as President and Chief Executive Officer of Wal-Mart, earning the reputation as one of the nation’s premier executives. Glass has been recognized with numerous awards, including his induction into the Retail Hall of Fame in August, 2000.

In 1993, Glass was appointed interim chairman and Chief Executive Officer upon the death of Ewing Kauffman and in April, 2000, his family acquired the Royals organization. Under Glass' tenure the Royals have finished above .500 just three times (1993-94, 2003).

“Baseball is extremely fortunate to be able to draw upon someone with the background and experience of David Glass," said Selig. “He has been a valuable member on many important committees and, in his new role as Chairman, MLBAM and Baseball will benefit from his varied talents and abilities.”

Started in 2000, MLB.com was funded by the clubs in an agreement that had them each investing $1 million a year over four years. The cost was targeted at $120 million. To the joy of the owners and MLB, the Website started generating excess revenue in only the second year of its existence, allowing them to invest only $70-$75 million before beginning to see a return on their investment. That investment has turned MLBAM into the sports industries most powerful digital rights arm.